Refrigerator



March 1, 1932. L. c. RnNoUR,

REFRIGERATOR Filed May l5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Invenlor /'f/vaar Eatented 1 1932 STATES PATENT oFFicE REFRIGERATOR .application mea nay 13,

This invention relates to an improved rerigerator characterized by an especially designed air circulating compartment including an especially designed container for solid carbon dioxide such as is used as the air cooling medium.

Briedy stated, the structural novelty is predicated upon a solid carbon dioxide container embodying thermostatically controlled closures designed to preserve the solid carbon dioxide and at the same time to permit the air to be maintained at the desired teinperature for cooling purposes at all times, accordingto the requirements of the particular box in which the structure is installed.

The use of the solid carbon dioxide as a cooling medium is now well recognizedn TWhen used in a refrigerator or the like however, it is dicult to preserve this particular type of cooling medium as it evaporates fast when exposed to air, and yet is preserved for an amazingly long period of time when made substantially airproof.

With the Yitoi'egoing in mind, lf have found it expedient and practical to construct a novel domestic refrigerator which is characterized by a main or outer casing constitutinr the air circulating chamber, and arranging t 1erein an intermittently open thermostatically controlled solid carbon dioxide container whereby to permitthe refrigerator effect to be automatically developed when needed and at the same time to preserve the solid carbon dioxide as a cooling medium for an apprecia- E bie length of time.

1n the drawings:

li re 1 is a view in section and elevation showing the complete assembly as developed in accordance with the present conception.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the closure equipped thermostatic solid carbon dioxide container.

in Figure 1, the main casing for the cooling medium is designated by the numeral 3.

-' This may be of any appropriate construction and proportion. llt is here shown 'as provided with a slat bottom i and a pair of supporting rails 5. The numeral 6 designates an intermediate or upper bae plate and 7 represents another bae plate. rlhese plates 1930. Ser/18.1 No. 451,968.

are so arranged as to produce the desired circulation and concentration of the circulating of a substantially airtight container 9 for the solid carbon dioxide (not shown). ncidently solid carbon dioxide is a well known come mercial product at this time, and maintains a temperature'of approximately one hundred and forty degrees (140) below zero, Fah- A renheit. As before stated, however, when subjected to a moving current of comparatively warm air, solid carbon dioxide evaporates rapidly. Hence the necessity of enclosing it within a substantially air tight container 9.

The container embodies a suitable base 10 and an entrance door 11 to permit access 'to be had to the interior. The numeral 12 designates the top and the numerals 13 and 14: represent the gravity lowered inclined closing doors for the opposite openv side whereby to permit the air to circulate through the container 9 and to be acted on by the solid carbon dioxide in passage.

The doors 13 and 14 are hingedly mounted onthe top as indicated in 15 and they swing outwardly and upwardly as represented in dotted lines in Figure 2. Each door is provided at one end with an extensionconstituting an operating or actuating arm 16. Connected with this arm is a pivoted link 17. The two links for the opposite doors are interconnected through the medium of a tie rod 18 so that the doors may be simultaneously lifted to open position 'to permit circulation of air through the container 9 at the proper time.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the reference character 19 designates a wafer thermostat having an upstanding apertured stem 20 with which one end of an operating lever 21 is adj ustably connected by a pin as indicated at 22. The intermediate portion of'the lever is adjustably fulcrumed at 23 on a supporting post 24. The free end portion` of the lever bears down upon the intermediate portion of the tie rod 18.y

It is obvious with this arrangement that when the air in the compartment 3 becomes sufficiently warm, the thermostat will expand. This will swing the free end portion of the lever 21 downwardly to bring pressure to bear on the rod 18, `As the rod is pushed downwardly to the dotted line position represented in Figure 1, it is obvious that the linkage serves to swing the doors outwardly and upwardly, thereby permitting the air in this compartment '3 to circulate through a container 9 and down into the storage compartment of the refrigerator (not shown).

When the temperature conditions have been equalized, the thermostat will permit the doors 13 and 14 to swing down by gravity to closing position, thus preserving the refrigerant properties of the solid carbon dioxide, (not shown) in an evident manner.

With the foregoing description and drawings it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a structure which will enable solid carbon dioxide to be employed as a practical cooling medium in an ice box or refrigerator of the domestic type.

It is thought t at persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a'clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is. regarded as unnecessary.

Minor chan es in sha e, size, and rear- ,rangement of etails comin within the field of invention claimed may e resorted to in actual practice if desired.

I claim:

In a structure of lthe class described, a solid carbon dioxide container comprising a body open at its opposite sides, a pair of hingedly mounted downwardly swingable inclined doors co-o erable with said open side, said doors inclu ing upstanding arms, links connected with said arms, a tie rod connecting said links together for simultaneous operation, a thermostat mounted on the container, a support, a lever fulcrumed on said support and operatively connected at one end with the thermostat, and having its opposite free end portions bearing upon the intermediate part of said tie rod for operating said closure under predetermined temperature conditions.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

LUTHER C. RlTNOUR. 

